Sunday, September 14, 2008

Men - They Can't Do Without Us!

We didn’t finish the field trial after all.

MLH needed to switch out trucks, and pack, and get everything ready to drive to Pennsylvania. He also needed to transfer some well information to another guy in the field. I just couldn’t leave him – we’ll be apart for the longest time of our marriage. So I stayed home to help him get ready. Which took…

All. Day. Long.

Me: Don’t you think you need to get on the road, honey? You have a 25 hour drive ahead of you.

MLH: I just have to get this truck cleaned out, my tools put up, this stuff put into your truck, do some reports, and then I can go.

Me: Don’t you think it would be best if you flew, then rented a 4wd in Pennsylvania?

MLH: I mentioned that to Mark, he didn’t sound like it was the best way to go.

Me: Probably because you’ll need your stuff once you get to location.

MLH: Probably.

I fell asleep, laying behind him on the couch, while he's sitting there working on his computer. I'm waiting on him to finish his reports and turn everything over to the guy who’s watching the current project. I woke up and it was 2 HOURS LATER. I’m picturing my guy driving right into the remnants of Hurricane Ike.

Me: Honey.

MLH: Yeah, babe?

Me: Do you know what time it is?

MLH: Yeah, sweetie, I’m almost finished.

I’m getting tensed up, just thinking about him driving all night. And about him being gone for a month. And about us having a new puppy and me having to do 100% of the training. About getting ready for NMOGA in Santa Fe, and the possibility of MLH not attending this year. Getting the house ready for the housecleaner every week without his help. Hunting without him. And having to take out my own trash…My mind was going haywire. I had to just get a GGGGRRRRIIIIIIPPPPP, I tell you. A grip. Taking all thoughts captive, I started over.

Me: Hoooonnnnney.

MLH: Yeah, babe?

Me: Do you know what time it is?

MLH: Yeah. (I can tell by looking he’s exhausted. I’m not happy he’s decided to drive all that way. I mean, that’s what planes are for.) Almost done here.

Finally, about 5:30 p.m., we get everything loaded in the truck, play with Zack and Zanna, and hug and kiss goodbye. I start a light supper, and about 5:45 p.m., my phone rings.

Me: Hey…

MLH: Hey, sweetie. How did you load GPS onto your blackberry?

Me: You can go on your blackberry and download it, or at least you can with AT&T. If you were here, we could call in on my phone and download it on yours simultaneously.

MLH: Oh, I’ve not left yet. I’m still in the front of the house, trying to get this done.

Me: Whaaaaaat???? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh. Get out of town already!

So, we get the GPS downloaded, and off he goes. I run to the grocery store, which has conveniently decided to jack around all it’s merchandise, so I can’t just run in and grab what I need. Don’t you hate it when the manager decides to rearrange the store? Freaks me out. Anyway, back to this story, my phone rings. Guess who? Yup.

Me: Hey there.

MLH: Hey, sweetie, I drove by the auto parts store and there’s a Duramax 2500 truck with poles for sale. Will you drive by and get the number and check on it? Might work into our plan.

Me: (Are you kidding me? Didn’t you just drive by there, and wasn’t the number on the window?) Well, sure I will. NOW DRIVE!

He laughs and hangs up.

An hour later, no kidding, my phone rings.

Me: Good afternoon. May I help you? (laughing)

MLH: Hey, sweetie, can you check on flights and rental cars into State College, Pa.? I’m not that far down I-20.

Me: S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y? No? Yes? Yeah, I can check. This is really what I want him to do. I think it will be quicker, and safer, for this trip.

So, I do. And while I’m doing so, MLH decides to keep on driving. That he really needs his truck and tools, that it’s the best thing to do, drive this time.

It’s going to be a long two days if this crap keeps up.

I already miss him.

27 comments:

Pam said...

What did we ever do before cell phones? Steve will be fine, you will, too. Hang in there girlfriend. You can come hang out with me any time!

Gretchen said...

Men!

Lone Chatelaine said...

Aw! That was sweet.

I like y'all together :)

jill jill bo bill said...

That is so funny! I can hear it all now!

Question of the day: You clean BEFORE the housekeeper comes? What the?

And I'm with Pam, you will be bored and lonely, so come this way. Do you cook? I already know you clean.

Lynellen said...

The first several days will be hard, then it will get a bit easier, then as time comes for him to come home it will get hard again. At least he's not being deployed to Iraq for 18 months. You'll have the option to talk every day on the phone, email, etc. You can do this!

That Janie Girl said...
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That Janie Girl said...
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That Janie Girl said...

Hobo - wise man, you are, not to comment! ;)

Pam - I know, girl. I'll be fine. Or, maybe we'll head your way!

Gretchen - I know.

Chatelaine - I like us together, too! Thanks!

Jill - It is funny, especially in retrospect! As to cleaning before the housekeeper comes, search my blog for "missing persons report" and "MLH and Foo were right". Plus, add to that the craziness of a pup who MUST pull out all dirty clothes she can find and strew them about the house. Yeah, we pre-clean.


Lynellen - I am thankful that he's getting to do what he wants. And that he's not going to Iraq! I can handle it, I know I can. I'm not a weenie - thought, I probably sound like one! Thanks for the encouragement.

Snooty Primadona said...

After seeing your return comments posted 3 times, I have no doubts that you are stresed out.

Gosh, is MLH really going to be gone that long? I have a hubby I'd be happy to send in MLH's place.

;-)

Snooty Primadona said...

Holy Crap! Were we supposed to do lunch today? I'm such a slacker! I'm still in my robe and haven't even checked my emails, lol.

Sorry 'bout that...

That Janie Girl said...
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That Janie Girl said...

WHAT THE HECK? I only did that once! No, really, I'm trying to up my comment count. Heh.

Yeah, you slacker...I love being stood up at lunch! (Actually, I did that myself to a customer last Monday. I can't believe it!)

We'll have to reschedule.

I ALMOST saw Mr. Snooty at the chiro this morning. But...he was behind closed doors, lol.

Meg said...

Men! Gah! But then again, what would we do without them? Hmmm...I can think of a few things!

Can't wait to try to meet you!

It will be the first week of October instead, my daughter is getting "induced" next week!

amelia bedelia said...

sheeesh! that was exhausting for me and I wasn't even there! and they say women are bad!!

Keeper Of All Things said...

Sounds like he's having a lil' trouble leaving you.

That Janie Girl said...

Meg - I look forward to meeting you, too!

Amelia - exhausting. Yeah. That's why I'm so tired!

Keeper - but, of course he's having trouble leaving me! (Right.)

Gwynne said...

I hope he made it safely!! Sounds like you should have gone with him. I mean, commuting from PA to TX can't be much harder than all the travel you currently do, right? And you can be with your man. He needs you. :-)

i beati said...

funny but that's what wives do huh? sk

Anonymous said...

Sooo---has Steve arrived in PA yet? How far is he from Canonsburg--I just need a little Texas in my life--especially if it is the Stevearina! I re-read the JKA an SKA leaving blog and it about made me cry. I REALLY REALLY miss Texas,friends like yall, my kids, even the heat and the hurricanes! O yeah, Suzan's homesick. How's the zack boy and his tummy? I'll be thinking about you without your MLH for a month since John and I have just finished 6 weeks of the same. With the schedule you run, it will probably pass quicker than you think. You could spen a weekend with us--you could, you could!! Catch you later and love to all of yall both 2 and four legged varities---the Texas Tumbleweed; aka SKA

Karen Townsend said...

A month is a long time, as I know from way too much experience. The oil biz, it is what it is. And, yeah, at least not Iraq. My husband was there just prior to the war and would really like to go back with some new rigs being built. No way, Jose.

Jackie said...

What a hoot! Just wait until you've been married 50 years!!

Anonymous said...

Just curious, were you at the Clay Desta Bank Building on Tuesday morning about 8:00 am taking some food to the 6th floor?

That Janie Girl said...

Gwynne - I should have gone with him - and we even have an office there! (not to mention our friends John and Suzan!) But I'll be going up soon, maybe even this weekend. Just depends.

Sandy - yes, ma'am,that's exactly what wives do!

Suzan - yes, ma'am, he's there. I'm sure you'll be hooking up with him, once he gets all the job stuff lined out! Love to you and John, too - and Zack and Zanna send their love.

Karen - hey, girl. If anyone knows the oil biz, girl, you do! Where is hubby working these days?

In_spired - I know , it is funny, isn't it? 50 years? I can't wait!;)

Anonymous - Busted again. I'm always hauling food to the 6th floor. Mostly, at 6:45 a.m., but yesterday I had an 8am appt. They do love their chick fil a!

Anonymous said...

The reason I asked about Clay Desta - we were chatting on the elevator. I have never met you, but I read your blog and have seen your picture. You are always talking about taking food to clients. After I got off at my floor I got to thinking "I think that was Janie form Sounding Forth" - so I was right!!!!!!!!!!!

That Janie Girl said...

That's hilarious! I wish you would have asked me. I'm usually up there on Thursdays, but I usually come in the elevator on the side of Cattle Baron - because it's closer to the drilling side.

E-mail me (you can get in through the profile) and tell me your name and where you work and I'll stop by sometime! (and bring breakfast!)

That Janie Girl said...

Hey, anonymous....now you're making me wonder - was my hair screaming? Or did I even decide to fix it that day? I can't remember.

;)

Looking forward to meeting you!

jill jill bo bill said...

Just checkin'on ya makin' sure you are surviving the bachelorette time. Your comments are hysterical and I heard what you said when you stepped on the yucca. You used it correctly and with the right emphasis. You are such a good pupil. Next week we may move on to the F word.

Call if you get bored. The kids are at their dad's this weekend and Rick's family is coming into town from Houston. Breaks are good, right? Love ya. Don't forget tolock the doors and turn on the lights. Load your gun and set the beartraps under every window and door.